Art Gallery in Corvallis, Oregon

Jen G. Pywell “speed-curates” this group show. She chose 10 artworks in 10 minutes from artists in the CEI program and responds to each individual work.

Closing Reception + Art Talk: Thursday December 7th, 6-8pm

Participating artists, Gallery Director Bruce Burris & Curator Jen G. Pywell will talk about the show and answer questions for "10 in 10."

CEI Artworks Gallery (408 SW Monroe Ave, Ste 110)

ABOUT THE SHOW

When Bruce from CEI Artworks asked me to “speed-curate” an art show - to chose 10 works in 10 minutes among the works of artists participating in the CEI program, I was honored and up for the challenge. I always rely on my gut when looking at artwork. In choosing the works, I not only had to use my instinct to pick individual works but stitch multiple works together into a cohesive show. Then I was asked to respond to each work individually. Bruce left it really open. “Write a poem, draw a picture. Anything.” At first I wrote some pretty boring reflections on why I chose each piece. Then I decided to simply let the art “speak to me,” as it did when I first laid eyes on it. Here is what they said.

Brian Bonney

First name, last name. Repeat. First name, last name. Repeat. Neatly. A grid. Slipping away and clinging together. One thing is certain: it’s Brian Bonney. We know it. He knows it.

Susan Woods

We may be floating around in space, but something is holding us together. We may not be touching, but we are always attached. Tucked inside cozy nests, near and far. Electrical highways.

To be buoyant it must sit on something below the surface of the paper. What is below the art. It can’t just be the wall. It can’t. Portholes for tiny eyes look out. A big rig to steer, front or back?

Kris Asbaugh

A game of protection. Not bare. Not unfolded. Withdrawn and drawn out. This is how armor works.

Matt Conklin

What do we make of those little fish who swim along the big fish? They turn on a dime and shoot about like air tank darts. Big fish don’t slow down. Big fish only go down with a direct hit. Fire.

Mike Hill

Break the surface. Energy. Then color. Then form. The first obstacle: space. Soon filled with energy, then color, then form. Show your bones.

Kris Askew

Even Gregory L. Blackstock didn’t draw toilets. Why not? He never looked at them, memorized each unique curve, lid, make, seat, height, handle, color, model, tank, bowl. He couldn’t see what he couldn’t notice. He couldn’t see with his bum.

Ruth Van Order

Conveyor belts, escalators, travelators, elevators. Bings and pings. Bounces and bumps. We all need to get there. At once. Good luck on getting out.

Dale Leroy Scott

He walked walked off. Driverless. Stuck in paper traffic. Round wheels for rolling. Might as well be squares. Besides, there is just more paper inside.

I bike everywhere and notice the discarded waste everywhere. I think it's something we have to accept, much as I'd like (and do try) to change it. I've been finding a lot of beauty in some of it, and, lately, I've been emoting with it! I feel like a cast-out piece of trash sometimes. I feel spent and used at times. I also know my time, like the use of these items, is finite. And that my time in some peoples' lives ends before my time actually does, kind of like the residual trash of another act--once that iced coffee drink is done, the plastic to-go cup is not.

The work also takes further Duchamp's ready-made (I know--how trite! Bear with me!). Not only are these objects already made, they are already imbued with history--something essential to art. They have been altered from their original (be it hand or machine-made) by human and environmental interaction, and tell this story in their form, as well as by our understanding and associations with the item (for example, a Dutch Bros plastic cup).

Additionally, I am referencing Arte Povera from the 1960s and 70s, primarily in Italy.

For June 2016's Mail Art Challenge, artist and guest curator Julia Oldham announces the theme: "The Smell of Good Mud." Original artwork of any medium must be mailed and received by Ugly Art Room at 444 NW 14th St, Corvallis, OR 97330 by July 11, 2016. No larger than 8x12." All artwork will be opened on camera and a video will be made.

Saturday night's opening for "Unlucky in Love" was a huge success. So many folks came out from the community and were very excited about the artwork in the show. Check out the rest of the photos, here. If you missed it, we are having an additional reception on Thursday February 18, 2016 from 5-8pm during Corvallis Arts Walk. The gallery is located at 460 Madison Ave #7.

Ugly Art Room will announce the theme on the 1st of each month. Artwork is sent by participating artists and arrives no later than the 25th of that month. Depending on the number of submissions, at least five pieces will be selected and opened on camera. A video will be posted by the last day of that month and the following month's mail art challenge theme will be announced. All original work in any medium can be submitted as long as the work can fit into an 8 1/2 x 12" bubble mailer. Work MUST be sent with a SASE so it can be returned. Work will be on display during Corvallis Arts Walk which takes place the third Thursday of each month. Work will be made available for sale on Ugly Art Room's website until the following month.

Join us for an anti-Valentine's art show on February 13, 2015 from 6-9pm. Aside from our group art show, there will be $25 flash tattoos, snacks and libations provided by Corvallis Brewing Supply. Please RSVP on Facebook.